Thomas Jefferson grows a nation

Like Thomas' Farmer George Plants a Nation (2008), which looks at George Washington through an agricultural lens, this picture book takes a similar approach in presenting facets of Thomas Jefferson's life. Always referring to Jefferson as Thomas, the narrative begins with his response to a French naturalist's uninformed slurs on American animals writing a book in rebuttal. Next, it discusses his efforts to stimulate European demand for American produce and his concerns about an agricultural pest. The description of his presidency emphasizes the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark expedition. While the farming metaphors (After planting the seed of freedom writing the Declaration of Independence, Thomas had something new to nurture) are fine initially, they become tiresome through overuse. Hand-lettered quotes from Jefferson and line-drawing caricatures are incorporated into the paintings, which look simultaneously naive and sophisticated. An informative supplement to more standard picture-book biographies of Jefferson, such as Maira Kalman's Thomas Jefferson: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Everything (2013), this book targets a somewhat older audience.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2015 Booklist

Thomas follows Farmer George Plants a Nation with an adeptly distilled examination of Thomas Jefferson's achievements, seen through the lens of his agricultural passions. His failures appear alongside his successes-at one point, Jefferson has a moose killed and shipped to France in a (fruitless) attempt to persuade a French naturalist of America's majesty; later, he smuggles rice out of Italy, but the crop fails in America. As she did in Farmer George, Thomas uses an afterword to acknowledge that "today it is difficult to understand how the writer of the Declaration of Independence could own slaves." Innerst's muted gouache paintings contribute playful touches (she gives the ill-fated moose red and blue antlers dotted with white stars) that are in step with Thomas's informal narration and Jefferson's curiosity and optimism. Ages 9-12. Illustrator's agent: Susan Cohen, Writers House. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Gr 3-6-In this illustrated biography, Thomas continues her portraits of Americans who contributed to the development of the United States. As the author establishes, Thomas Jefferson had many interests, including his passion for plants and animals, which was evident in his roles as farmer, diplomat, and president. In his work Notes on the State of Virginia, he refuted the false information in Count Buffon's book, which stated that North American wildlife couldn't compare with the creatures of the Old World. While in Paris securing trade agreements, Jefferson promoted the rich plant life of the Americas by growing corn, cantaloupe, and watermelon in his garden. In return, he shipped olive trees and dry rice back to the farmers in the United States. As president, he sent Lewis and Clark on an expedition to explore the Northwest region of the country; they sent box after box of seeds, sketches, and animal specimens to our curious president. When his presidency was over, Jefferson returned to Monticello to resurrect his neglected fields and lay the foundation for the University of Virginia, which included a botanical garden. Thomas's engaging text is thoroughly researched, with solid source notes for each quotation. Historical details and illustrations are blended perfectly. Rendered in gouache on paper, the art has a slyly humorous quality, with Innerst adding a hint of Jefferson's distinctive red hair color in the tones and shades on most pages. (The artist also used a quill to hand letter all the quotes.) VERDICT A first purchase.-Sharon M. Lawler, formerly of Randolph Elementary, Randolph AFB, TX © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Jefferson's passion for agriculture takes center stage in this dense picture-book biography. Beginning with his rebuttal of foreign gibes at American wildlife, Jefferson's many efforts to promote America as a nation of farmers are chronicled, including growing new crops, smuggling rice, and commissioning Lewis and Clark's expedition. Playful gouache paintings accompany a well-researched text; an afterword considers Jefferson's slave ownership. Timeline. Bib. (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Using Thomas Jefferson's own admissions of passion for both his new country and agriculture, details are given about a few of his activities, inventions, and accomplishments, beginning after the Revolutionary War. A muted, gouache image of a large-headed Jefferson plowing with the help of a large brown mule spans two early pages, under which is this text: "After planting the seed of freedom writing the Declaration of Independence, Thomas had something new to nurture. And like any farmer imagining the harvest of a newly tilled field, Thomas envisioned a nation of farmers. But one weed threatened Thomas's vision." Said weed is Count Buffon, a Frenchman whose disparaging lies about the New World eventually resulted in Jefferson's arranging for the man to receive a moose via cargo ship. This unusual and amusing tale begins a series of revelations that continue to show Jefferson's intense desire to boost his nation's status and to improve its agriculture. The text is dense and contains sophisticated ideas and vocabulary, and numerous quotations appear in the entertaining artwork and the text itself. The seed metaphor is not extended to Jefferson's known progeny, but the final section, "Thomas Today," wisely invites readers to ponder Jefferson's slave ownership. It is no small feat to choose but a few facts about such a well-documented life; the choices made and the method of telling are both exemplary. (timeline, further information, notes) (Nonfiction. 9-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Like Thomas' Farmer George Plants a Nation (2008), which looks at George Washington through an agricultural lens, this picture book takes a similar approach in presenting facets of Thomas Jefferson's life. Always referring to Jefferson as Thomas, the narrative begins with his response to a French naturalist's uninformed slurs on American animals—writing a book in rebuttal. Next, it discusses his efforts to stimulate European demand for American produce and his concerns about an agricultural pest. The description of his presidency emphasizes the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark expedition. While the farming metaphors ("After planting the seed of freedom writing the Declaration of Independence, Thomas had something new to nurture") are fine initially, they become tiresome through overuse. Hand-lettered quotes from Jefferson and line-drawing caricatures are incorporated into the paintings, which look simultaneously naive and sophisticated. An informative supplement to more standard picture-book biographies of Jefferson, such as Maira Kalman's Thomas Jefferson: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Everything (2013), this book targets a somewhat older audience. Copyright 2014 Booklist Reviews.

Thomas follows Farmer George Plants a Nation with an adeptly distilled examination of Thomas Jefferson's achievements, seen through the lens of his agricultural passions. His failures appear alongside his successes—at one point, Jefferson has a moose killed and shipped to France in a (fruitless) attempt to persuade a French naturalist of America's majesty; later, he smuggles rice out of Italy, but the crop fails in America. As she did in Farmer George, Thomas uses an afterword to acknowledge that "today it is difficult to understand how the writer of the Declaration of Independence could own slaves." Innerst's muted gouache paintings contribute playful touches (she gives the ill-fated moose red and blue antlers dotted with white stars) that are in step with Thomas's informal narration and Jefferson's curiosity and optimism. Ages 9–12. Illustrator's agent: Susan Cohen, Writers House. (Sept.)

Gr 3–6—In this illustrated biography, Thomas continues her portraits of Americans who contributed to the development of the United States. As the author establishes, Thomas Jefferson had many interests, including his passion for plants and animals, which was evident in his roles as farmer, diplomat, and president. In his work Notes on the State of Virginia, he refuted the false information in Count Buffon's book, which stated that North American wildlife couldn't compare with the creatures of the Old World. While in Paris securing trade agreements, Jefferson promoted the rich plant life of the Americas by growing corn, cantaloupe, and watermelon in his garden. In return, he shipped olive trees and dry rice back to the farmers in the United States. As president, he sent Lewis and Clark on an expedition to explore the Northwest region of the country; they sent box after box of seeds, sketches, and animal specimens to our curious president. When his presidency was over, Jefferson returned to Monticello to resurrect his neglected fields and lay the foundation for the University of Virginia, which included a botanical garden. Thomas's engaging text is thoroughly researched, with solid source notes for each quotation. Historical details and illustrations are blended perfectly. Rendered in gouache on paper, the art has a slyly humorous quality, with Innerst adding a hint of Jefferson's distinctive red hair color in the tones and shades on most pages. (The artist also used a quill to hand letter all the quotes.) VERDICT A first purchase.—Sharon M. Lawler, formerly of Randolph Elementary, Randolph AFB, TX